ONO for Children

Fun Entrepreneurial Ideas for Children

Starting a small business with your children is a great way for kids to learn financial responsibility, life skills, and build confidence. As a parent, it is your duty to teach your kids the importance of these things and take pride in doing so.

The number one key to getting your kids interested in entrepreneurism and financial responsibility is to make it fun. Before you begin a business venture with your children, remember these important tips.

  • Teach kids all aspects of business planning, but do it on a smaller scale.
  • Discuss the goals of the business with your child.
  • Figure out the cost implications and show them the reward possibilities.
  • Don’t do the preparation work for them. Assist them if they need it, but let them do as much by themselves as possible.
  • The safety of your kids should always be first priority. Don’t allow them to do business unsupervised or in questionable neighborhoods.
  • Teach them the necessity of advertising. Get creative. Have fun making signs, banners, and handouts.
  • Discuss the details of the venture with your children before, during, and after the process. Ask them how they think the business can be improved and try out their strategies. Let them think and make decisions for themselves. It’s the best way to learn.
  • Always be positive and encouraging. Any negative connotation you put on the entrepreneurial process could potentially affect their view on business and financial responsibility in the future.

Entrepreneurial Ideas

Selling — Kids can sell a lot more than lemonade these days, though a lemonade stand is never a bad idea. With an adult’s help, kids can sell their gently-used toys on ebay, craigslist, or at local garage sales. From selling cookies at church to one of my favorites, selling home grown vegetables from our garden, the possibilities for an entrepreneurial child are limitless.

Paper Route — Nothing like a little early morning responsibility. This is a great opportunity for any kid with a bike to make some cash.

Babysitting – This is one for the older, more responsible kids. Babysitting can be a great way for kids to make a decent hourly wage taking care of younger children. Not only do they get to make some hard earned cash, they also get a valuable lesson in responsibility. To get some early experience, they can start with younger relatives or the children of family friends.

Tutoring — If your child does well in school, he or she can help a younger child who is struggling with a particular subject. Tutoring is the perfect after-school job. They also have the opportunity to work on their patience and people skills.

Lawn Care – This is the perfect opportunity for a young entrepreneur to make some extra cash on the weekends. There is some good money to be made and they have to do it through hard work. Kids need to look no further than right in their neighborhood to find new clients.

Snow Removal — On weekend or on snow days in the winter, a kid could make some great money shoveling snow for neighbors and friends.

Farm Work — If you live out in a rural area, chances are pretty good that there is a farmer that could use your child’s help. On a farm there are always weeds to be pulled, irrigation water to be set, and animals to be taken care of; perfect tasks for kids looking to make a little green.

4-H — The 4-H program gives kids the opportunity to buy, raise, show, and sell animals. Raising an animal is long hard work. If your child is up for the task, it will teach them valuable lessons in responsibility and sticking with a job until completion.